May 2011 - KICTANet

Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya's Mobile Money Innovation & Dr Mukhisa Kituyi's Article in Today's Nation
by Eng. Wainaina Mungai 24 May '11

24 May '11

Daktari, Kindly reveal the name of the unsung hero (the University student) who never received due recognition. I have heard the stories but I have no name or a face to the name of the student behind MPESA. Our media should be able to give due publicity to such a student. Regards, Wainaina On Sun, May 22, 2011 at 7:56 PM, Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com>wrote: > Daktari, > > I have to record my disappointment .... As usual with others who have > commented on this subject before, we credit (in my view) all the wrong > people, but leave out the true unsung hero: the young university student who > 'invented' mpesa - the inventor/innovator! Not even his name is mentioned, > or known! In the history of technological innovation in Kenya, the 'Governor > of the Central Bank' (notably Micah Cheserem and the present) will have a > special place! On the mPesa issue, among those mentioned the only one I > would fret - given the power - would the CBK Governor, who was bold enough > to let this 'experiment' take root. > > Just in case one missed the story, read on ....: > http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/Kenyas+mobile+money+innovation+draws+w… > . > > Regards, > Shem > > Shem J. Ochuodho, MSc (Eng), PhD, LLD (Hon) > Senior Advisor > Ministry of Telecom & Postal Services > Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), Juba > Commonwealth Telecom Organization (CTO/GoSS) 2010 African Internaut Award > Recipient > Kenya Community Abroad (KCA) 2007 Excellence Award Winner > AfricaOnline 2005 Industry Pioneer Award Recipient > Father of Internet in Kenya (Computer Society of Kenya - CSK 2000) > Cell: +249-955-021-040/+256-477-232025/+254-725-016679 > Skype: shem.ochuodho > > > _______________________________________________ > ke-internetusers mailing list > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > > -- *wainaina.mungai(a)facebook.com*

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[SUSPECTED SPAM] ICANN and INTERPOL Meet in Lyon, France
by Alice Munyua 23 May '11

23 May '11

/*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*/ /*May 23, 2011*/ *INTERPOL and ICANN Advance Cooperation on Internet Security * *after Historic First Meeting* /*Lyon, France*/– A landmark visit today to INTERPOL’s General Secretariat headquarters by top officials from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has provided both international bodies with an opportunity to explore avenues for closer collaboration on Internet security. With cyber-security, financial & high tech crime high on the agenda, talks between ICANN President and CEO Rod Beckstrom and INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble focused on Internet security governance and enhancing common means for preventing and addressing Internet crime. Mr. Beckstrom’s delegation also included ICANN’s Vice President and Chief Security Officer, Jeff Moss, Vice President of Government Affairs Jamie Hedlund, and Alice Jansen of its Organizational Reviews unit. "We seek the active engagement of law enforcement in our multi-stakeholder community where all parties are welcome. We recognize Interpol as an important international leader in this field,” said Mr. Beckstrom. “We are very pleased by its expression of interest in joining the ICANN Governmental Advisory Committee as an observer.” With ICANN the global coordinator of domain names and Internet protocol addresses, and INTERPOL the world’s largest international police organization, Secretary General Noble said: /“/Both organizations are international, both are politically neutral, and both are focused on the good of the world. Both also care about improving the security of the Internet for the future." “The Internet has no borders, and neither do the criminals who exploit it. As the Internet's role in society continues to increase in scope and importance, it is vital for INTERPOL to help create bridges between the international law enforcement community it represents and ICANN in order to advance Internet security practices for the benefit to all,” added Secretary General Noble. As part of efforts to enhance their cooperation, both organizations agreed during the visit that an INTERPOL delegation would attend ICANN’s international conference in Singapore next month, 20-24 June, when INTERPOL’s membership of the ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) as an international observer will be explored. ### To download a high resolution pictures of the ICANN/Interpol meeting go here: * http://www.flickr.com/photos/icann/5751829780/sizes/l/in/photostream/ * http://www.flickr.com/photos/icann/5751283829/sizes/l/in/photostream/ * http://www.flickr.com/photos/icann/5751826842/sizes/l/in/photostream/ * http://www.flickr.com/photos/icann/5751279679/sizes/l/in/photostream/ *MEDIA CONTACTS: * Brad White ICANN Director of Global Media Affairs Washington, DC Tel. +1 (202) 570 7118 brad.white(a)icann.org <mailto:brad.white@icann.org> Pietro Calcaterra INTERPOL Press Office Lyon, France press(a)interpol.int <mailto:press@interpol.int> Tel: +33 4 72 44 71 69 /*About ICANN: *//ICANN’s mission is to ensure a stable, secure and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet you have to type an address into your computer - a name or a number. That address has to be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN coordinates these unique identifiers across the world. Without that coordination we wouldn't have one global Internet. ICANN was formed in 1998. It is a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation with participants from all over the world dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It promotes competition and develops policy on the Internet’s unique identifiers. ICANN doesn’t control content on the Internet. It cannot stop spam and it doesn’t deal with access to the Internet. But through its coordination role of the Internet’s naming system, it does have an important impact on the expansion and evolution of the Internet./*/For more information please visit: /*/*www.icann.org* <http://www.icann.org/>/*/./* /*About INTERPOL: *//INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 188 member countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime. The world police body has six priority crime areas: Drugs and criminal organizations, Financial and high-tech crime, Fugitives, Public safety and terrorism, Trafficking in human beings, and Corruption. /*/For more information please visit: http://www.interpol.org//* If you would rather not receive future communications from ICANN, let us know by clicking here. <http://ICANN.pr-optout.com/OptOut.aspx?523509x19831x56592x1x3743070x24000x6…> ICANN, 4676 Admiralty Way Suite 330, Marina del Rey, CA 90292 United States

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Current MNP stats?
by Michael Ouma 23 May '11

23 May '11

Hi: Where can I get the latest stats on porting requests since the launch in April? Would really appreciate. Michael Ouma Journalist Kenya Tel:+254-725-537823 "Do not go where the path may lead, but go instead where there is no path and leave a trail," - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Re: [kictanet] Successfull Visit to Silicon Valley
by S.Murigi Muraya 23 May '11

23 May '11

Sam, There must be some form of trust | justice system | good governance that causes us Kenyans (and all other investors in Kenya) to cooperate with & mutually benefit each other. http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/Kenyanews/Interpol-seeks-Okemo,-Gichuru-arr… http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/Okemo+Gichuru+fate+rests+with+princip… The USA has juice | justice | business ethics we have yet to develop in Kenyan society. It penalizes bad behavior to produce ethically stronger and locally trusted (if not globally accepted) companies. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/11/us-galleon-rajaratnam-idUSTRE74A3… Can you imagine any major business personality who funds any major political party in Kenya being jailed after being found guilty of corruption | of messing up shareholders | of distorting fair market principles? Tell me that Justice does not contribute to Investor Confidence as much as innovation does in the USA | Silicon Valley? On Sat, May 21, 2011 at 11:01 PM, Samuel Gichuru <gichuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Muraya, > > You do have a strong argument but then I would like you to replace the word > "Kenyans" with "Muraya" and you get to really personalise the problem. :) > > I doubt we need the "TransCentury Types" but we need the Agosta, Muraya and > Bitange (as himself and not the government) types that know the problems > African Techs have and take time to solve them one by one, the time is gone > when all we did is point our fingers at "Kenyans", the Government, > institutionalised individuals to make the needed change. > > The only people responsible for this country's soft power<http://www.samgichuru.com/you-soft-power-and-the-internet/> is > you and me, (note: "Samuel Wanjirus" as well) , this was confirmed to me > when I talked to Mark a principle founder of Viaweb, he says the first job > we have as Kenyans is to change peoples perception.... we are responsible > for the fact that they don't respect us.... that respect needs to be earned. > > So do I agree with you? Yes.. and I also partly disagree... > > Sam > > On Sat, May 21, 2011 at 6:18 AM, S.Murigi Muraya <murigi.muraya(a)gmail.com>wrote: > >> Agosta, >> >> Please expound, advise, update on the Kenyan tech community.. >> >> My thinking is somebodies (e.g.TransCentury types) in their right mind >> will NEVER invest in Kenyan youth | techies who worship the West -- who do >> not demonstrate PATRIOTISM - a PRACTICAL (not just emotional or ideological) >> value for Kenya or its activities in the EAC or COMESA. >> >> Too many Kenyans are here today, then migrated tomorrow. >> >> Most of us mentally colonized people (Africans mostly), lack Locally >> Respected Enterprise Cultures (LREC) to produce National and Regional if not >> Global Companies | Brand Names.. So we keep on producing Migrant "Nurses" to >> serve people who do not think too well of us. >> >> Almost every decent software engineer I have interviewed over the past 2 >> or 3 years tells me they hate being involved in Government deals (sleaze & >> sloth) and the way business (bribery) is done in Kenya. Thus they would >> rather work for foreign firms. >> >> It is not easy convincing them to work well (for 2 or 3 years) for at >> least one local firm intending to list on the NSE one day so they can learn >> to create and grow LOCALIZED wealth. >> >> We will never understand Western problems as well as Westerners do, just >> like they will never undertstand African problems like we do.. So the Kenyan >> | African Firms worth most investments will be focused in providing >> localized | regional solutions -- to our rapidly growing populations. >> >> Suspect this decade (2012-2020) will see Kenyan techprenuers whose firms >> create LOCALIZED wealth doing even better via the NSE. They are likely to >> have been in the local local tech business scene for at least 5 years and >> will be over 30 years of age. >> >> This is not the USA | Silicon Valley where various Constitutional and >> Legal institutions work to check corruption and increase investor >> confidence. We need to build and invest in local firms that strengthen >> institutions that promote integrity. >> >> Yes? No? >> >> On Sat, May 21, 2011 at 8:23 AM, Agosta Liko <agostal(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Sam >>> >>> This is commendable, Paul Graham and the Y Combinator model can be >>> very effective for Kenya. >>> >>> My thought has always been that for young guys to develop anything, >>> someone has to jump in early, provide a place to work, food and even >>> accommodation as they hack away for 3-6 months >>> >>> Once that is done, they have a product that works end to end, a few >>> clients and they can move from these. I think the country has focus >>> too much on VC's as opposed to developing a good angel network for >>> enterpreneurs to tap for early stage money. >>> >>> The y combinator model protects entrepreneurs from being in a >>> perpetual bootstrap mode... Where you have to keep running after >>> development and website to earn your keep. >>> >>> Looking forward to seeing the tech community grow... Especially the >>> "guy with and idea" >>> >>> Again, good stuff chief >>> >>> Liko >>> >>> On 5/21/11, Samuel Gichuru <gichuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>> > Listers, >>> > >>> > I am glad to say that after meeting Paul Graham at Y Combinator I got >>> > introductions to everybody else I would have loved to meet including >>> Reid >>> > Hoffman of linkedIn. >>> > >>> > I can now confidently say that in the future Nailab might have a >>> chance to >>> > present smart innovative ideas to VC and Angle Investors together with >>> the >>> > likes of dropbox , airbnb and others in Silicon Valley. >>> > >>> > PS Ndemo, I am disappointed that government bodies like KICTB keep >>> sending >>> > people all over the world and cannot facilitate a simple meeting or >>> > connection despite the enormousness opportunity such networkings >>> present to >>> > the average Nailab entrepreneur or tech seating at the Ihub. >>> > >>> > Sam Gichuru >>> > Nailab >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 7:41 PM, Samuel Gichuru <gichuru(a)gmail.com> >>> wrote: >>> > >>> >> >>> >> Hi.. >>> >> >>> >> I am visiting San Francisco and would have loved to visit Facebook, I >>> >> understand Kenya ICT Board had a team that did a visit a while back >>> and >>> >> was >>> >> wondering if anyone on this list was part of that team, I have tried >>> >> reaching Paul Kokubo to no avail, some kidogo networking here will not >>> >> hurt >>> >> .. thank you >>> >> >>> >> NB: I already have visited, Sales Force and is Scheduled to Visit >>> Google, >>> >> Y >>> >> Combinator and a host of other companies, - Two office I cant find >>> >> networking contacts are Facebook and Apple, your help will be much >>> >> appreciated. >>> >> >>> >> -- >>> >> Warm Regards, >>> >> ------------------------ >>> >> Samuel Gichuru >>> >> Nailab Director >>> >> >>> >> twitter: | @samgichuru <http://twitter.com/samgichuru> >>> >> Blog: | www.samgichuru.com >>> >> Facebook: | Sam.gichuru <http://www.facebook.com/sam.gichuru> >>> >> Skype: Sam.gichuru >>> >> Cellphone: | 0722-730565 >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> > >>> > >>> > -- >>> > Warm Regards, >>> > ------------------------ >>> > Samuel Gichuru >>> > >>> > twitter: | @samgichuru <http://twitter.com/samgichuru> >>> > Blog: | www.samgichuru.com >>> > Facebook: | Sam.gichuru <http://www.facebook.com/sam.gichuru> >>> > Skype: Sam.gichuru >>> > Cellphone: | 0722-730565 >>> > >>> >>> -- >>> Sent from my mobile device >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/murigi.muraya%40gmail.… >>> >>> >>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform >>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and >>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT >>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. >>> >>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors >>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, >>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do >>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >>> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/gichuru%40gmail.com >> >> >> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform >> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and >> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT >> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. >> >> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors >> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, >> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do >> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >> > > > > -- > Warm Regards, > ------------------------ > Samuel Gichuru > > twitter: | @samgichuru <http://twitter.com/samgichuru> > Blog: | www.samgichuru.com > Facebook: | Sam.gichuru <http://www.facebook.com/sam.gichuru> > Skype: Sam.gichuru > Cellphone: | 0722-730565 > > > >

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OT: Request For Participation In Research Study - Device Analyzer
by rsohan＠gmail.com 23 May '11

23 May '11

Dear KictaNet users, Device Analyzer is an app for Android devices running Android 2.1 or higher. It will run in the background while you use your phone and will collect statistics about what you do: phone calls, data transfer, running applications, etc. This information can help you find out how you use your phone or how much of your 3G data plan you have used. More advanced analytics will come with future updates. The statistics are then stripped of personally identifying data and will be sent to our server at the University of Cambridge where we will conduct analyses on a large dataset collected from hundreds of users worldwide. You can select whether you would prefer for your data to be used only inside the University of Cambridge or if we may release your data after you had 3 months to review what we will be releasing. We would be very interested in getting some users from Kenya, given its vibrant mobile scene. For further information see the project webpage: http://goo.gl/SeW6r or download Device Analyzer from your Android phone: market://details?id=uk.ac.cam.deviceanalyzer Please feel free to forward this request to friends and colleagues. Kind regards Rip Sohan (on behalf of Daniel Wagner)

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Successfull Visit to Silicon Valley
by Samuel Gichuru 22 May '11

22 May '11

Listers, I am glad to say that after meeting Paul Graham at Y Combinator I got introductions to everybody else I would have loved to meet including Reid Hoffman of linkedIn. I can now confidently say that in the future Nailab might have a chance to present smart innovative ideas to VC and Angle Investors together with the likes of dropbox , airbnb and others in Silicon Valley. PS Ndemo, I am disappointed that government bodies like KICTB keep sending people all over the world and cannot facilitate a simple meeting or connection despite the enormousness opportunity such networkings present to the average Nailab entrepreneur or tech seating at the Ihub. Sam Gichuru Nailab On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 7:41 PM, Samuel Gichuru <gichuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Hi.. > > I am visiting San Francisco and would have loved to visit Facebook, I > understand Kenya ICT Board had a team that did a visit a while back and was > wondering if anyone on this list was part of that team, I have tried > reaching Paul Kokubo to no avail, some kidogo networking here will not hurt > .. thank you > > NB: I already have visited, Sales Force and is Scheduled to Visit Google, Y > Combinator and a host of other companies, - Two office I cant find > networking contacts are Facebook and Apple, your help will be much > appreciated. > > -- > Warm Regards, > ------------------------ > Samuel Gichuru > Nailab Director > > twitter: | @samgichuru <http://twitter.com/samgichuru> > Blog: | www.samgichuru.com > Facebook: | Sam.gichuru <http://www.facebook.com/sam.gichuru> > Skype: Sam.gichuru > Cellphone: | 0722-730565 > > > > -- Warm Regards, ------------------------ Samuel Gichuru twitter: | @samgichuru <http://twitter.com/samgichuru> Blog: | www.samgichuru.com Facebook: | Sam.gichuru <http://www.facebook.com/sam.gichuru> Skype: Sam.gichuru Cellphone: | 0722-730565

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Reminder: - AfriNIC-14 meeting in Dar 2011
by Walubengo J 22 May '11

22 May '11

AfriNIC is pleased to invite you to attend the AfriNIC-14 Public Policy Meeting and AfNOG-12 Workshop & Meeting which will be held in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania from 29 May to 10 June 2011. http://meeting.afrinic.net/afrinic-14/ The joint meeting represents a platform where leading Internet industry presenters discuss the latest developments in global best practice for managing your Internet resources and how it affects the African region. Most importantly, the meetings are your opportunity to contribute to the Internet Address Policy Development process. The FREE Technical trainings are on the 1st week (from 29th May) and covers http://www.afnog.org/afnog2011/index.html The FREE Policy discussions occur during the 2nd week (from 7th May through 10th May 2011) http://meeting.afrinic.net/afrinic-14/index.php/the-meeting/agenda Since this event is happening in East Africa, it would be nice to have a good turnout of East Africans from Technical/Telco/ISP, Government, Regulatory, Academic and Civil Society circles. walu.

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Re: [kictanet] Successfull Visit to Silicon Valley
by Samuel Gichuru 21 May '11

21 May '11

Thank you Muraya, I am documenting the serious and fun bits of my travel here - http://www.samgichuru.com/ feel free to share with others, I don't edit my writings much and post as I go... I will definitely be on the lookout for that, but one thing I love about this valley is even the failed start-ups consider themselves a success, they learned how not to do something and they keep changing until eventually manage to get it right... Thank you for taking an interest Muraya, hope the government pays attention to some sound advice. On Fri, May 20, 2011 at 11:21 PM, Muraya Kamau <martin(a)itech2020.com> wrote: > Way to go Samuel, > > I am looking forward to your report. This is a first in Kenya and I would > advice that we can get as much information as possible. > > Secondly, the Y Combinator model, the Portland Seed Fund and other seed > funding models have success stories and failures. Getting information on > startups that failed is equally important. > > Third, the government disburses funds to the likes of 'Kazi Kwa Vijana' and > other Youth Empowering initiatives. I would like to ask if with proper > channels and frameworks, this can be extended to offer support to young > entrepreneurs (read start-ups) in the technology sector bearing in mind the > various challenges they go through. > > I say again keep up the good work Samuel. > > > > > On Sat, May 21, 2011 at 8:44 AM, Samuel Gichuru <gichuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> +Ndemo, that is perfect I am back to Nairobi the first week of June >> >> +Liko, very true, we did some calculations with Paul on what a guy with a >> good idea would need to get it ready in 3-6 months and I was surprised at >> the fact that we have resources to do this. >> >> Still allot of work to be done, thank you for being supportive. >> >> On Fri, May 20, 2011 at 10:23 PM, Agosta Liko <agostal(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Sam >>> >>> This is commendable, Paul Graham and the Y Combinator model can be >>> very effective for Kenya. >>> >>> My thought has always been that for young guys to develop anything, >>> someone has to jump in early, provide a place to work, food and even >>> accommodation as they hack away for 3-6 months >>> >>> Once that is done, they have a product that works end to end, a few >>> clients and they can move from these. I think the country has focus >>> too much on VC's as opposed to developing a good angel network for >>> enterpreneurs to tap for early stage money. >>> >>> The y combinator model protects entrepreneurs from being in a >>> perpetual bootstrap mode... Where you have to keep running after >>> development and website to earn your keep. >>> >>> Looking forward to seeing the tech community grow... Especially the >>> "guy with and idea" >>> >>> Again, good stuff chief >>> >>> Liko >>> >>> On 5/21/11, Samuel Gichuru <gichuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>> > Listers, >>> > >>> > I am glad to say that after meeting Paul Graham at Y Combinator I got >>> > introductions to everybody else I would have loved to meet including >>> Reid >>> > Hoffman of linkedIn. >>> > >>> > I can now confidently say that in the future Nailab might have a >>> chance to >>> > present smart innovative ideas to VC and Angle Investors together with >>> the >>> > likes of dropbox , airbnb and others in Silicon Valley. >>> > >>> > PS Ndemo, I am disappointed that government bodies like KICTB keep >>> sending >>> > people all over the world and cannot facilitate a simple meeting or >>> > connection despite the enormousness opportunity such networkings >>> present to >>> > the average Nailab entrepreneur or tech seating at the Ihub. >>> > >>> > Sam Gichuru >>> > Nailab >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 7:41 PM, Samuel Gichuru <gichuru(a)gmail.com> >>> wrote: >>> > >>> >> >>> >> Hi.. >>> >> >>> >> I am visiting San Francisco and would have loved to visit Facebook, I >>> >> understand Kenya ICT Board had a team that did a visit a while back >>> and >>> >> was >>> >> wondering if anyone on this list was part of that team, I have tried >>> >> reaching Paul Kokubo to no avail, some kidogo networking here will not >>> >> hurt >>> >> .. thank you >>> >> >>> >> NB: I already have visited, Sales Force and is Scheduled to Visit >>> Google, >>> >> Y >>> >> Combinator and a host of other companies, - Two office I cant find >>> >> networking contacts are Facebook and Apple, your help will be much >>> >> appreciated. >>> >> >>> >> -- >>> >> Warm Regards, >>> >> ------------------------ >>> >> Samuel Gichuru >>> >> Nailab Director >>> >> >>> >> twitter: | @samgichuru <http://twitter.com/samgichuru> >>> >> Blog: | www.samgichuru.com >>> >> Facebook: | Sam.gichuru <http://www.facebook.com/sam.gichuru> >>> >> Skype: Sam.gichuru >>> >> Cellphone: | 0722-730565 >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> > >>> > >>> > -- >>> > Warm Regards, >>> > ------------------------ >>> > Samuel Gichuru >>> > >>> > twitter: | @samgichuru <http://twitter.com/samgichuru> >>> > Blog: | www.samgichuru.com >>> > Facebook: | Sam.gichuru <http://www.facebook.com/sam.gichuru> >>> > Skype: Sam.gichuru >>> > Cellphone: | 0722-730565 >>> > >>> >>> -- >>> Sent from my mobile device >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> Warm Regards, >> ------------------------ >> Samuel Gichuru >> >> twitter: | @samgichuru <http://twitter.com/samgichuru> >> Blog: | www.samgichuru.com >> Facebook: | Sam.gichuru <http://www.facebook.com/sam.gichuru> >> Skype: Sam.gichuru >> Cellphone: | 0722-730565 >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/martin%40deveint.com >> >> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform >> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and >> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT >> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. >> >> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors >> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, >> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do >> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >> > > > > -- > *__________________________________________________________ > * > *Muraya Kamau* > *Web\Mobile Applications Developer* > *Deveint Ltd* > *www.deveint.com* > *Twitter: @MurayaKamau* > ** > > > -- Warm Regards, ------------------------ Samuel Gichuru twitter: | @samgichuru <http://twitter.com/samgichuru> Blog: | www.samgichuru.com Facebook: | Sam.gichuru <http://www.facebook.com/sam.gichuru> Skype: Sam.gichuru Cellphone: | 0722-730565

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Konza Technology City - Devils Advocate
by robert yawe 21 May '11

21 May '11

Hi, I have looked at the concept for the Konza Technology City and it looks brilliant, but I have a few issues to propose on the design. Now that we have a big picture we need to go into the devilish details to make sure that we can make this a truly world class project from ground breaking to operation. 1. There is too much road which will result in traffic, one regret that the developers of Silicon Valley have kept airing is that they should have thought more of reducing motorised movement and creating more green areas, foot paths and cycling paths. The concept for Konza has over 61 kilometers of major roads that is equivalent to the road from Nairobi to Konza. We need to incorporate tramcars, under ground train & bus stations and perimeter parking silos that will allow for the reduction of vehicular traffic on the streets and make the environment more pedestrian friendly. For those who have seen the master plan each segment measures about 62 acres which is roughly the area bound by Uhuru Highway, City Hall Way, Kenyatta Avenue and Moi Avenue, not a very big area, so what is the difference in layout between Konza City and Nairobi? We need to look at the issues affecting Nairobi due to its design flaws and then correct them in Konza. 2. The density of the City makes it no different from Nairobi CBD merged with Githurai/Zimaman, the green area is at 5.6% which should be sufficient grounds for Prof. Wangari Mathai to get concerned. In my calculations I included the river basin that a crosses through the City and also the stadium. Let avoid the creation of another concrete jungle, which bring back to mind a statement by President Moi that the building of a 60 story building at Uhuru Park would be of scenic value. 4. Unlike Nairobi, Konza is a much hotter area therefore we need to look at having as many water masses as possible scattered around the city to humidify the area and also help in maintaining any green areas. This water could be reclaimed from the buildings and also by incorporating rain water harvesting. 5. Charity begins at home, I strongly believe the launch plus the initial invitations for the master builder should have been floated locally before we removed our hand pans to go overseas, "utamusindikisha namna gani yule ambae hajatoa chochote chake". 6. Where is the Virtual City Building, Seven Seas Knowledge Hub, Equity Finance Campus and Mutuku's Supermarket in the proposal or is the entire development targeted to foreign entities. 7. The area allocated for a University campus is only 62 acres, this is too small as it can only accommodate a single university campus if it is to have recreation facilities and open grounds which is the ideal situation as it would be counter productive to replicate what is happening with the campuses in Nairobi CBD. I reiterate that the effort is commendable but lets use it more as a starting point than an end in itself otherwise we shall just be developing another concrete jungle. Lets look at best practices and the lessons learnt from others as they carried our such projects. A final word or more a request, how do I book the space allocated for a Cathedral so I can begin to mobilise my Catholic brethren to begin raising funds. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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SMS Ringtone
by S.Murigi Muraya 19 May '11

19 May '11

In response to an NTV advert tonight, sent an sms with the code "DOT" to 5525 to get Daddy Owen's "Tobina" ringtone. Got 2 automated sms messages which "chewed" 60 bob of my credit. The link in the sms to the ringtone is not accessible -- yet have already been billed. Have also been AUTOMATICALLY subscribed to receive 2 ringtones per week that will be 'chewing' 60 bob. How are these SMS (ringtone) services supposed to work?

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